Helianthus praetermissus is a rare and probably extinct North American species of sunflower, with the common names New Mexico sunflower[1] and lost sunflower. It is known from only one specimen collected in 1851 in Cibola County in western New Mexico, and not seen since.[2][3]
Helianthus praetermissus is (was?) an annual herb with a slender, unbranching stem 90 cm (3 feet) tall. It has (had) a single flower head with yellow ray florets surrounding red disc florets.[3]
References
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Helianthus praetermissus". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
- ^ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
- ^ a b New Mexico Rare Plants, University of New Mexico, Helianthus praetermissus (Lost sunflower) includes description, ecological and historical information, and photo of the only known specimen
